The Ultimate Barefoot Shoe Guide 

Hope you heal soon x

This really makes me realize how much shoes fucked me up, too. I'm glad you're trying to help others realize fashion is hurting us. It's an even bigger hurdle with women's fashion. While I'm not a feminist, one thing I realize now is that my feet were injured by girl's foot wear and the way I was shamed into walking. I was flat footed so I walked in a rather lumbering manner and couldn't run fast, but I could go for hours. I got made fun of in school for the way I moved and put in orthapedic shoes to force my arch up, and it hurt like hell and frankly ruined me. I stopped wanting to run around and eventually developed exercise induced aesthma and started gaining weight. Flat footedness and foot problems run strong in our family but when it comes to footwear and the general gate of the walk, there's a definite disperity between male and female. Men's shoes still usually are a bit more practical in shape and functionality and a male can walk in a lumbering manner because it's masculine. The expectations of femininity really were not compatible with my bone structure and personality, though, and messed me up bad. I'm glad we have more freedom these days in fashion, but shoes are still something that can be a real issue for those that don't fit the feminine mold. Sorry for the ted talk, your observations about how your healing process effected you just brought to mind those horrible orthopedic shoes and I felt like I needed to write this down and get it out. I hope your feet are back to normal soon. Heal well.

@@ANPC-pi9vu I have the exact same problem now. I walked in wrong shoes for a long period (like year or so) and developed oversupination in my left foot (also it points slightly outwards when I walk). It really is frustrating, but I remember what happened and what caused this so this gives me a relief as I see there's a way to fix all of these problems for good. I will soon get barefoot shoes. I was a tall baby and had flat feet since then. This didn't change much after all these years spending ridiculous amounts of money on orthotics while I'd be better spending that money on clothes I need. Even worse thing is, I'm a person that is physically active, but since I was wearing wrong shoes all the time nothing good happened. Actually, it's even worse as I grow up. So basically all my foot muscles are atrophied and since I'm adding on weight and muscle in my upper and lower body, my feet suffer. Any orthopedic problem a child has will worsen as time passes... hope I fix it with walking barefoot at my house and going for a walk in shoes like Xero.

It really does suck how no one seems to take you seriously. Even with science to back up your reasoning, people still are so close minded about it.

@@ANPC-pi9vu or you could uhh, just not care about fashion? I have never cared and never wear jeans and people call me a sheep for the alternative pants I wear, even though they are the type of people who always wear jeans (like sheep) I also don't wear baseball caps except the one with my work uniform. And wear hats with cat ears all the time (with three more and a hoodie on the way). As well as my minimalist clown looking shoes. Idgaf what people think about what I wear and never have. That's not a male or female thing, that's just personality, self-confidence, and maturity. Only scared wittle teenagers and immature adults care what other people think of them or what they wear or do. I had walked with a limp for most of my teens to twenties until I got a lift to fix the leg length imbalance. However people thought that I was trying to be "gangster" and "swagger" and I had to tell them "no, my leg is fucked and I'm in constant pain. Thanks for the concern though." Also you should become an advocate for getting children away from modern shoes, and making sure doctors don't try and correct problems caused by bad footwear with worse footwear and accessories. Adults are set in their ways, and I can't even get my best friends to consider minimalist shoes for themselves (despite having foot issues which they have corrected with orthotics instead of losing weight and strengthening their feet), let alone get them to consider the health benefits for their two year old to never wear modern shoes (her baby toe is already looking squished and hammer like). So intervene in your local education system. Get it included in science or PE classes. Indoctrinate them when they're young like religions do. So we can get rid of the shoe company's and orthotics producer's agendas!

Same story for me. Switched to barefoot shoes (splays) last week cold turkey. All my pain in my joints, lower back, and knees have disappeared almost immediately. The pain went away in a day. Crazy how fast barefoot shoes corrects the issues. I shudder at the thought of my brooks now. If someone told me I had to wear modern shoes again I would run away. My feet are freer than ever!!! I get excited anytime I'm about to put them on because I know that it's truly an adventure walking now.

I’m 2 weeks into barefoot shoes vivo and my feet are still painfully swollen. Is this to be expected? I hope it’s temporary and would love to continue my BF journey.

@@flatways8502 Wow, how cool. I have a saying, if my feet hurt, take off my shoes. I have been wearing Tom's and Converse. Here I am now, shopping for knowledge about barefoot shoes.

@@tishguerrero Slow is safe and fast is foolish. Can you walk around the house barefoot? Pay attention and see if you can see what is going on in your foot/feet and ankles. You want to find out if the shoes you bought are ok for you. I am lucky that I live in a place where I can find some fan of the barefoot shoes. BUT BEWARE, I went to REI and they "should".. but NOPE. The slick salesman showed me shoes that were anything but barefoot, pair after pair. He could have sold me on something completely not-barefoot but I already knew better. For shame on him. Meanwhile, I ordered some Merrells. If they come and I dont like them, REI will take them back and I get a full refund. SMH.

Which BFSH do you use? brand and model? Thanks

Man Hsu of the Upright Health channel has several good videos on barefoot shoes and comparing barefoot shoes. He has some important things to say about the sandals he has. He points out a big flaw and then shows how he figured out how to fix it. "Top drawer videos."

My guy! That’s awesome. Have you run in other shoes too? Ive never tried xeros (yet)

@@tjs1189 I haven't had a chance to try any others yet. These minimalist shoes... uh... they last a long time!

That's awesome. How long did it take you to transition into higher mileage with bf shoes? I started wearing bf shoes about 10 months ago and struggle to run over 8 miles in them. For now, I wear bf shoes daily and for shorter runs but still wear traditional cushioned shoes for runs longer than 8 road miles.

@@scaber I did a half marathon in Vibram FiveFingers, and I think it took me about a year to get into. It has also helped that since early in the pandemic I've been working from home, and basically been barefoot most of the day for now more than 2.5 years. All that to say, yes, it took a long while to get to the higher millage with these.

What Xero shoe did you run the marathon in?

Would love to hear this, too!

Agreed.

Great! Thanks for your feedback!

Sandals, the toes are free. What more do you need to have explained to you? No socks!

Bosky sandals are my favourites by far

The Shoe Illuminati has him marked

Where did you have your custom shoes made? It would be good to leave that information here, for the future.

never seen Lord of the Rings or Fury Road or Dune, i take it? i jest, this is a very well done video

I noticed that immediately when i went for a walk the other day. The hard paving was too much for my feet. Luckily there was a grassy section i could walk on instead of the hard ground. Im still nee to it so i guess im in transition phase 👍

I just started wearing them and so far I love them but the soles are wearing very quickly....

And toe spacers. And just going barefoot as much as possible

@@nabranestwistypuzzler7019 Thank youuuuu!

Roger McCormick yw

@H b.34 Thanks for asking. We wondered that too. Her younger sister is fine. We can only put it down to genetics or bad luck. Her gait and posture aren't exactly regal, but not unlike any typical 13-year old.

@H b.34 Same with me. I’ve had bunions as long as I can remember. I do believe sometimes they are hereditary.

ME TOO! And shoes make me feel like I am suffocating! I hate them.

Sorry to hear about that. Sounds rough. Makes me think about whether shoes should be approached the same way as tailored clothing. Fitted to an individual instead of just mass produced.

Not all is lost. Put on your barefoot shoes and start with comfortable pace walks and focus on chaging your gait. You can still correct your problems.

What brand?, PLEASE!

Lots of debate about horses having shoes. Know more horses whose health and movement chaned dramatically for the better when bare-hoofed but I digress. I've had my first pair of barefoot shoes for about a month now and the changes are amazing. I might not run but I have to walk quite quickly on store flooring that is hard like cement. Have tons of energy and very little hip/back pain like I had with regular heavy padded shoes.

@@timeenuf4200 Interesting about the horse shoes, I didn't know there was debate about that. Happy to hear about your improvement! I have experienced similar benefits from barefoot shoes. I think the toe-box has been the most important contributor, but the hard sole has been a help too. However I have experienced the same beneficial effects from flip-flops and sandals, which makes me think that as long as a sole is flat and relatively tough (not like super squishy foam in modern running shoes, which starts to collapse after the first few outings), then a centimetre or two of material is not detrimental, and perhaps on concrete is necessary.

@@milligoree Well, I think a thicker sole is better for walking on pavement, but if we are talking about running, the thinner the better, because the whole point of running barefoot is that your feet can absorb the shocks by themselves, and they need a better ground feel to do so because when you don’t feel the hard surface under your feet, you tend to land harder imo

You can buy a pair of shoes with insoles. After a while, you will probably take them out. Do horseshoes have much padding ?

And safety shoes as well. The right sized ones are so hard to find.

Have you tried Lens shoes?

Merrell vapor glove and trail glove- try them

Have you tried ( Splay shoes ) ( Be Lenka prime shoes)( softstar primal ) I wear them with correct toes . best price of the three is Splay brand.

Matt Hsu reviews shoes and talks about the difference using the insole that comes with it or not using it. The insole lessens the ground-feel and protects your foot.

Try the Altra's.

Youn guys wear shoes at home?